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As simple as it may sound, seeing turkeys is a significant part of managing the state’s wild turkey resource. Every summer, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) staff, along with a few natural resource professionals from other agencies, record observations of wild turkeys and their young made during their regular field work activities.

During the spring of 2020, thanks to Covid-19 and work from home policies, I had the opportunity to take many mid-day walks around the neighborhood with my wife. These daily outings were, for the most part, enjoyable times together, talking, reflecting, and getting some exercise. But they also led to a troublesome “honey-do” for me. See, my wife saw several neighbors who had beautiful, manicured lawns and decided she wanted a lovely lawn like that, too.

The Peregrine Falcon is swift, fearless, and powerful. From ledges high on rocky cliffs, the falcon sits motionless, surveying its surroundings. When it spies its quarry — an unwary ground squirrel or pigeon — the falcon launches into the air. In seconds it accelerates from a stand-still to a blur of speed; it strikes with one talon foot before the prey has time to react. When a small bird flushes ahead of a peregrine, it shifts into high gear delivering a head on kill. The falcon streaks forward like an arrow, with great agility then twisting and turning in zigzag pursuit. It easily outmaneuvers even the swiftest of smaller birds.